LORD MAYOR Clover Moore will host the City of Sydney’s inaugural Future Asia Business Luncheon, a forum which aims to give the Sydney business community an insight into emerging business opportunities across Asia.

The CEO of Austrade, Bruce Gosper, will give a presentation about how local businesses can benefit from Australia’s new free trade agreements with China, Japan and Korea.
 
More than 140 business and government representatives will attend the event, which is part of the City’s annual Chinese New Year Festival.
 
 
WHEN:                       12pm on Tuesday 24 February 2015
 
WHERE:                     The Vestibule, Sydney Town Hall – 483 George Street, Sydney
 
CONTACT:                Keeley Irvin – 0448 005 718 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

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THE Council of Small Business Australia (COSBOA) is calling on the government to create an even playing field by removing the Fringe Benefits Tax (FBT) on childcare and health services for small business employees.

Peter Strong, Chief Executive said, “We appreciate that the government is focusing more on our needs and wants to support small business.  We currently have a situation where on-site crèches and fitness services provided by big businesses are FBT exempt, while small businesses owners and employees have to pay FBT for exactly the same service off-site.

"That’s an extra 47% that a big business employees may not have to pay. The FBT was introduced to stop the wealthy from manipulating the tax system to their advantage, but childcare and fitness is not the realm of the rich but a service for us all.

“Removal of the FBT for small business is a great idea that would not have a big impact on the budget but will greatly benefit health, families, work place productivity and increase employment opportunities.  This is the right support for government to give to small businesses with very little negative impact on government revenue in the short term and a positive economic impact in the medium term” Mr Strong added.

COSBOA has also congratulated Fitness Australia, the national health and fitness industry association, on their campaign (FITnotFBT) to remove Fringe Benefits Tax (FBT) for small businesses.

“COSBOA knows that the impact on the budget is likely to be low as these types of services are not often taken up due to the extra cost of the FBT. A submission from Deloitte to the Federal Treasurer shows that expanding the FBT exemption to external providers would not significantly decrease FBT revenue to government. 

"Deloitte further concluded that any costs would be recouped via the flow-on benefits of reduced health care costs, increased workplace productivity and extra income tax from the fitness industry. This must also apply equally to childcare and will further increase the health and welfare of families, individuals and small business,” Mr Strong concluded.

For more information on COSBOA visit: http://www.cosboa.org.au/

Connect through social media channels:

Facebook: /COSBOA
Twitter: @COSBOA

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THE Australian Retailers Association (ARA) is appalled by false union claims suggesting the Fair Work Commission (FWC) found no evidence linking employment levels to penalty rates.

ARA Executive Director Russell Zimmerman said the ACTU’s claim that the FWC found no evidence that cutting penalty rates leads to employers hiring more staff is completely untrue.

“It is common knowledge that the FWC said last year (during its decision to reduce the Sunday penalty rate for restaurant industry workers) the Sunday penalty rate ‘would have some effect on employment’.

“The ARA is aware that many large retail chains have been closing as many stores as possible on Sundays and public holidays to avoid paying penalty rates.

“Unrealistic penalty rates have made many businesses unviable over the last year. The ACTU has chosen to ignore this sad reality.

“There’s no denying the fact that retailers would employ more staff if they did not have to pay penalty rates. However, seeking to be the voice of reason, the ARA is not calling for penalty rates to be abolished altogether but there is a strong need to get the balance right. Only then can retailers operate competitively on weekends and offer increased employment opportunities,” Mr Zimmerman said.
 
Since 1903, the Australian Retailers Association (ARA) has been the peak industry body representing Australia’s $265 billion retail sector, which employs over 1.2 million people. The ARA ensures retail success by informing, protecting, advocating, educating and saving money for its 5,000 independent and national retail members throughout Australia.

Visit www.retail.org.au or call 1300 368 041.

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QUEENSLANDERS will be enchanted by Mackay’s stunning nature-based tourism experiences with a new marketing campaign. 

Tourism and Events Queensland (TEQ) CEO Leanne Coddington said the campaign, developed in partnership with Mackay Tourism, was the first to leverage the destination’s new tourism brand, The Mackay Region - Nature. Reserved.

“The Nature. Reserved. campaign amplifies The Mackay Region’s strengths as a nature-based tourism destination,” said Ms Coddington.

“From secluded beaches, to sub-tropical rainforest and an abundance of wildlife, The Mackay Region offers many memorable holiday experiences.

“There is a strong demand for outdoor tourism experiences with more than 10.3 million Australians visiting Queensland’s destinations for a nature-based experience in the year to September 2014. This campaign will help grow that market for The Mackay Region.

“Nature. Reserved. will see stunning imagery of The Mackay Region feature across print, radio and online, inspiring Queenslanders to book their own Mackay getaway.”

Mackay Tourism General Manager Stephen Schwer said the campaign was an exciting milestone for the region’s tourism industry.  

“We’re thrilled to be partnering with TEQ and local industry to reinforce The Mackay Region’s growing reputation as a spectacular nature-based tourism destination,” said Mr Schwer. 

“In the year to September 2014, The Mackay Region welcomed 779,000 domestic overnight visitors. This campaign will capitalise on the appeal of nature-based tourism experiences to the Queensland holidaymaker, drawing more visitors to the destination.” 

Fourteen local operators have partnered with TEQ and Mackay Tourism to offer visitors a series of Nature. Reserved. holiday packages, available through MackayRegion.com and Queensland.com.

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THE Victoria Tourism Industry Council (VTIC) has applauded the State Government’s announced $100 million upgrade to Melbourne’s iconic Flinders Street Station.

“Flinders Street Station is a vital part of Victoria’s past, present and future and is a major tourism icon,” said VTIC Chief Executive Dianne Smith.

“The Station is pivotal to the success of Melbourne’s visitor precinct that includes the neighbouring Federation Square, Yarra River, MCG and arts precinct and this upgrade will bolster what is an increasingly vibrant area.”

Ms Smith welcomed that fact that the upgrade will include enhancement to both the aesthetic and operational aspects of the building.

“Upgrades to platforms, entrances, toilets and information displays will make facilities more user-friendly, especially for first-time visitors. These upgrades are essential to manage increasing visitor and passenger numbers and will encourage more people to use our transport system to explore Melbourne,” said Ms Smith.

“Along with this, the upgraded façade and heritage clock tower will enhance the streetscape and add to this already popular attraction.”

The Victoria Tourism Industry Council (VTIC) is the peak body for Victoria’s tourism and events industry, providing one united industry voice. Tourism and events are growth industries for Victoria and contribute $19.6 billion to the state economy each year and employ more than 200,000 people.

vtic.com.au 

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VECCI Chief Executive Mark Stone said VECCI welcomes the State Government's announced establishment of the Melbourne Metro Rail Authority and initial $40 million funding for the Melbourne Metro rail construction.

"Melbourne Metro will significantly enhance the capacity of Melbourne’s transport system and create employment, with 3,500 jobs to be created during construction," Mr Stone said.

"Melbourne’s rail network, in conjunction with our road system, is relied upon daily by Victorians travelling to and from employment and while undertaking work duties, as well as by visitors to Victoria.

"More trains running from more stations will significantly improve Melbourne’s public transport system and support Victoria’s economic growth.

"In the early stages of determining the most suitable engineering solution, it will be important that the authority closely engages with business to ensure there is minimal impact on retail and professional services in the CBD and to ensure there is limited disruption to the movement of goods and services in and around affected areas.

"We also welcome the fact that the five new underground stations, Arden Hospital Precinct, Parkville University Precinct, CBD North (Melbourne Central), CBD South (Flinders Street) and Domain, will support employment in vital industries such as tertiary education, healthcare and medical research."

The Victorian Employers' Chamber of Commerce and Industry (VECCI) is the most influential business organisation in Victoria, informing and servicing more than 15,000 members, customers and clients around the state.

vecci.org.au 

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“THOUSANDS of Victorian small businesses will foot the bill for the costs of the two new public holidays being introduced by the Andrews Labor Government this year,” said VECCI Chief Executive Mark Stone.

Mr Stone’s comments come in the wake of the Victorian Government formalising a new public holiday for Easter Sunday (5 April 2015) that, when coupled with the proposed new public holiday for grand final eve (2 October 2015), will impose significant costs on  small business, and the Victorian economy.

“The new holidays will result in both lost productivity and higher wage costs for small business at a time when many are facing difficult trading conditions,” said Mr Stone. 

“On grand final Friday, the cost to pay many of Victoria’s almost 2 million full time employees not to come to work could reach $543 million for the day.”

Additional wages for the retail, accommodation, food services and recreation industries are estimated to cost small business owners $105 million for the two holidays as wages can be 50 percent higher on Easter Sunday and 150 percent higher on grand final eve.

The two new holidays widen the disparity between public holiday arrangements across Australia and will result in Victoria having a nationwide high of 13 days, compared to states like New South Wales with 11 and Queensland and Western Australia with 10.

VECCI recognises the introduction of two new holidays was a pre-election commitment of the Government.  However, their significant costs highlight the consequences of making populist decisions at the expense of good public policy.

VECCI urges the Government to carefully consider impacts on business, especially small business, when making future decisions in respect of public holidays.

The December 2014 quarter VECCI-Bank of Melbourne survey of business trends and prospects examined the impact of penalty rates on business operating costs and found that if penalty rates were changed, businesses would give more hours to existing staff, hire more workers or reinvest the savings back into their business.

The Victorian Employers' Chamber of Commerce and Industry (VECCI) is the most influential business organisation in Victoria, informing and servicing more than 15,000 members, customers and clients around the state.

vecci.org.au

ENDS

THE Australian Retailers Association (ARA) today congratulates new Labor Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk and her Government on their appointment.

Executive Director Russell Zimmerman said retailers are pleased to see stability, new employment opportunities and improving business conditions are top priorities for the Labor Government and Premier Palaszczuk.

“For some time now, Queensland retailers have reported they want certainty and security by having a stable government in place.

“There have been a number of concerns from retailers operating in Queensland and today’s swearing in is a relief for both local and national retail businesses following this week’s Federal ructions.

“Retailers, just like consumers, simply want to know that those in government are making clear decisions that provide financial support and stability,” Mr Zimmerman said.

ARA Queensland board member Ralph Edwards said Queensland-based retailers want to be certain their government is focussed on creating jobs and improving business conditions.

“All the retailers I have been talking to tell me they want clear direction from the new Queensland government on jobs and costs for business. We believe today’s outcome is a step in the right direction,” Mr Edwards said.

Since 1903, the Australian Retailers Association (ARA) has been the peak industry body representing Australia’s $265 billion retail sector, which employs over 1.2 million people. The ARA ensures retail success by informing, protecting, advocating, educating and saving money for its 5,000 independent and national retail members throughout Australia.

Visit www.retail.org.au or call 1300 368 041.

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